An officer from the St. Petersburg Police department escaped injury after a woman fired a handgun in their direction.
The incident occurred after officers received a call at approximately 4 a.m., on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
Family members of 63 year-old Brenda Martin asked police to do a welfare check on her because she was anxious about COVID-19 and making concerning statements.
When an officer knocked on the front of her home, in the 4100 block of 35th Avenue North, she opened the door, pointed a handgun and fired at the officer. The officer was not injured and was able to take cover.
Martin later resisted arrest while officers took her into custody.
She is charged with:
– aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer
– resisting arrest
If people are stressing about COVID-19, there is help. Please see the resource through Pinellas County for emotional support.
The Behavioral Health Work Group, in coordination with Directions for Living, has created a COVID-19-dedicated Emotional Support Call Line, running seven days a week, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., to assist with the emotional needs of our community. Residents can call (727) 524-4464 x 1001.
Additional information is available at the following link:
http://www.DirectionsForLiving.org